Racing a squall

You can see the squall coming in behind the sailboat. Photo by David Lansing.

I love Caribbean weather. The way it changes so quickly not once or even twice but sometimes three times a day. When Luscious and I went to Sandy Island there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. An hour later, you could see a squall coming in over the water. The wind picked up, sand blew. Then the rain started. I thought to myself, what a lousy day to take a boat trip to a little island. The return trip wasn’t for several more hours. We’d be stranded in the storm. But within 15 minutes, the rain was gone, the wind died down, the sun came back out. All was tranquil and calm again.

Last night it was the same. We were out on the Cap Juluca boat for a sunset cruise. When we left, about 5, it was gorgeous and clear. But on the horizon you could see the dark clouds. Moving our way. We sat there, sipping champagne, watching a sailboat try and outrace the storm. You could see the rain coming down over the water right behind it. I thought for sure they were going to get soaked. But they outraced it. And by the time the sun was just setting, the sailboat was anchored just offshore, the storm having moved on, and the crew was enjoying their sunset cocktails. As were we.

The boat at anchor, the storm gone. Photo by David Lansing.